Parishes of Upper KIRK MATTERS

AUTUMN 2018 CHURCH’S VISION STATEMENT IS “UBUNTU” THE ANSWER? The vision of the Church of is to be a Church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the good news of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities

UPPER TWEEDDALE WEBSITE www.uppertweeddale.org.uk Charity No. SC0014617

SUNDAY SERVICES 10am Broughton 10am Stobo 11.30am Skirling 11.30am A letter from Tony Foley

Cover Photo: Detail of Bench at Skirling War Memorial Photos by: Bob Hunter, Neil Robinson, Christine Parker, Peter Writing this letter at a time when we have our visitors from Malawi in our Parishes it Worthington seems appropriate to go with an African theme. An anthropologist, who was studying the Xhosa culture with a tribe in South Africa, was The Laurel Bank in Broughton talking to a group of children from the tribe. He suggested the following game to them. Tea Room Bistro Bar He placed a basket full of fresh fruits under a tree. He then organised a race and said Tel: 01899 830462 to the children that whoever reached the basket first in the race would be the winner of the basket of fruits. As he gave the signal to begin the race, the whole group of children held hands, and ran together and then sat down together and enjoyed the prize together. He asked them why they had done it that way, especially when there was the possibility that one of them could have been the winner and had the whole basket to themself. The children replied: " Ubuntu"-- how could one of us feel happy while the rest are sad and unhappy?” In Xhosa culture the word “Ubuntu” means: “I am, because we are."

3 I thought about “Ubuntu” recently while reading about the charity Childline, which has Things seen a steep rise in the number of children contacting the charity about loneliness. In fact in the last year the charity delivered over 4,000 counselling sessions just on loneliness. The What happened is, we grew lonely youngest person to call with the problem was just 10 years old. living among the things, so we gave the clock a face, What has prompted this increasing sense of loneliness among our young people? Some of the chair a back, the children said that watching their friends socialise without them on social media made the table four stout legs them feel friendless. I was surprised to discover that according to the Office for National which will never suffer fatigue. Statistics young people in the UK are more prone to feeling lonely than any other age group. Childline’s founder Dame Esther Rantzen recently said, "Loneliness needs to be taken We fitted our shoes with tongues seriously because it is potentially damaging to children's physical and mental health”. as smooth as our own and hung tongues inside bells Research by psychologists from the University of Pittsburgh suggests that more than two so we could listen hours of social media use a day doubled the chances of a young person experiencing to their emotional language, social isolation. It cites exposure to idealised representations of other people's lives as a prime cause of feelings of envy, inadequacy and isolation. One teenage boy told and because we loved graceful profiles Childline, "I see all my friends having a good time on social media and it gets me down, the pitcher received a lip, I feel like no one cares enough to invite me”. I don’t want to bash social media. Luddites the bottle a long, slender neck. like old king Canute never succeed in turning the tide of progress. It is possible that young people who initially felt socially isolated turned to social media. Or it could be that their Even what was beyond us use of social media somehow left them feeling isolated from the real world. was recast in our image; Whatever the cause of loneliness, the cure is literally staring us in the face every time we gave the country a heart, we look in the mirror. Loneliness is no respecter of age, gender or class and yet all of us the storm an eye, have it in us to ensure that nobody, literally nobody, need ever feel lonely so long as we are the cave a mouth around, all it takes is an invitation, a visit, a welcoming smile. ‘all so that we would not feel alone’. Emotions like loneliness, envy and feelings of inadequacy have an important role to play in life; they are big flashing signs that something needs to change. Maybe it is time we stopped staring at our screens and started looking into each other’s eyes, started talking to the person on the other side of the dinner table. Maybe it is time we stopped posing for idealised pictures and started engaging in real conversations with real people in our real neighbourhoods. Maybe what we need to nurture more of in Upper Tweeddale is the ethic of Ubuntu, “I am, because we are." I close with a reflective poem by Lisel Mueller called Things, that I think captures some of the essence of what ails us. Rev Tony Foley Some of our Malawian visitors and Fiona Burnett at the Scottish Parliament

4 5 WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN THE PARISHES

Damage in Stobo Churchyard Cows in church chaos was the headline in the The Peebleshire and it even merited a mention in The Times when a herd of cows rampaged through Stobo Churchyard in March In April we received a letter from CrossReach, the Social Care arm of the Church of Scotland, thanking us for the stamps that had been contributed from various collecting points around the Parish.

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6 7 A service of thanksgiving was held in Broughton for the bounty of Later in May our Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles brought an lambs after a difficult season in these parishes where sheep farming Overture (petition) to the General Assembly in Edinburgh. The is so important. Very Rev Finlay Macdonald from Innerleithen and Isobel Hunter from Skirling asked the Church to look again at the 17th century Westminster Confession which reflects the anti-catholic feelings of its time, but which is still referred to today when ministers and elders are ordained. The overture was accepted by a wide margin of votes.

Two attentive members of the congregation at the Lambing Service

Christian Aid week in May saw the ever popular car boot sale in A cushion embroidered by Janet Hunter of our Upper Tweeddale Skirling and the even more popular teas in the village hall. This Guild won second prize in the 2018 Guild Convenor’s Challenge to event plus an envelope collection and a Sundae Sunday service in make a cushion reflecting the Guild’s theme for the next three years Tweedsmuir (definitely to be repeated) raised over £1,300 for the which is One journey, many roads. The cushion design was based charity. on the free hand maps of the Parish that were produced when some members of our congregations undertook a Future Focus programme in 2016.

Over the last few months the Upper Tweeddale Churches have been looking at the possibility of selling the existing manse and buying a more suitable property. At the same time the Broughton congregation has been wondering about the suitability of Broughton Kirk for the present day and considering options. There is a short article about this in the current edition of The Community News and as things develop we will keep the community posted one way or another, and meantime your views are welcome and can be passed on through A busy Skirling Green, car boot sale Sundae toppings any of the contacts on the inside back cover of the magazine.

8 9 It was a warm, sunny summer’s evening with all hands on deck as we cleared an area of ground next to the school in preparation for PASTORAL UPDATE Broughton primary school’s new poly tunnel. You learn a lot about people when you work with them and we have some quality people Christenings in Broughton. A huge thank you to those parents and children who Christened at Skirling Kirk on 26th August 2018 turned out to help with the work. And a special note of thanks goes Grace Godfrey, born 3rd February 2018 out to Finlay Smith, our favourite local farmer, who helped to take Daughter of Anne and Wayne away all the rubbish from the site. We can’t wait to finally get this Sister of Annabelle and Charlotte tunnel up, which we hope will be by the end of September. Funerals We offer deepest sympathy to the families of those who have died recently assuring them of our prayers

Funeral in Stobo Kirk on Friday 1st June 2018 Thomas Noel Goldie Crawford, aged 93 years Buried in Stobo Churchyard beside his beloved wife Barbara Died on 29th May 2018

At Mortonhall Crematorium on the 23rd July 2018 Margaret Russell, aged 81 years Formerly of Drumelzier Progress on the Polytunnell Died 15th July 2018

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10 11 A LIFETIME OF SERVICE One of the jobs that Betty and Jessie will be giving up after many years is cleaning the church, it is no surprise to learn that As of the end of September Betty and Jessie Eastland are re- as young girls they used to help their mother to do the same tiring as active elders in Skirling Kirk. They have however thing. Jessie can remember dusting in the pulpit and pre- assured us that they still intend to be involved in the life of the tending to be The Minister and getting a telling off from her Kirk and are keen to stay in touch with what is going on in the mother for her boldness. A harder task that fell on the girls Parishes. The congregation in Skirling would expect and ac- was to head up to the church at six in the morning with pails of cept nothing less. Here are some of their recollections of their water to fill the tank for the heating and with matches to light long involvement with Skirling and its church. the fire in the boiler. Latterly a young David Clarkson helped carry the pails of water.

Miss Betty Eastland Miss Jessie Eastland The sisters were both born in the village and attended Sunday school along with all the rest of the children, even those whose After their father died, when Jessie was just six years old, their parents were not in church. Then when they were older it was mother had a job at Parkside in Broughton, the house that was Bible Class in the Church or in the Manse. Bible Class involved on the site where the current manse now stands. It belonged homework on that week’s text in a pink exercise book marked to the Cameron family who owned and ran The Crook Inn at up each week by the Minister. Then they joined the church in the time and apparently had a wonderful garden stretching their mid-teens again along with majority of the local children; right up the hill. This garden provided flowers for the church they remember twelve teenagers joining one Sunday. Betty every week and Betty and Jessie used to collect them on a Fri- has seen ten ministers come and go in Skirling, initially Skirling day afternoon when they got off the train from Peebles after Ministers, then linked with Broughton then in the 1970’s, as school. During the school holidays they would take the bus we are today, linked with Broughton, Stobo and Drumelzier over to collect the flowers: the regular double decker bus that and Tweedsmuir. Nine of those Ministers went into retirement ran from Peebles to Glasgow and could get you back from from the charge. Biggar at 10pm during the week and 11pm on a Saturday.

12 13 Betty and Jessie became elders in Skirling Kirk in 1976, around Found on a folded piece of paper in an old book, does this story the same time as they took on the cleaning of the building, ring any bells? they served as Presbytery Elders for twenty-two years and Betty has acted as Treasurer for 18 years and Session Clerk This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, for 17 years, an incredible record of service. They remember Anybody and Nobody. when there were frequently one hundred people in the con- gregation and regularly fifty to sixty worshippers. One thing There was an important job to be done and Everybody was they felt is an improvement nowadays is the friendly chatter asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it, before the service whereas everyone used to sit on their own Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody in silence and the odd whisper would earn you a reprimand, got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Every- and that was before the service started. body thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. Although Skirling Village looks much the same they have ex- perienced many changes here too. There used to be two Signed Nobody shops, a post office, a joiner and an electrician’s workshop as well as a school, and there would be something on in the vil- lage hall almost every night. Badminton twice a week, danc- es, whist drives, and the hall was always open as a newspaper DAVID CAMPBELL was available in the Reading Room. At that time the Hall Your Local Handyman was the only building with a generator for electricity everyone else was still using paraffin lamps. There were also a couple of Available for most home maintenance and DIY jobs, houses in the village that took in holiday makers who used to small construction projects and hedge trimming flood down from Glasgow during fair fortnight. 01899 830317/ 07531109530 It is unusual these days for people still to live so close to where [email protected] they were born. Betty and Jessie Eastland are a wonderful example of service to the church and to the community where Contemporary Art Betty worked for 56 years in the office at Smail and Ewart, and of course at Gladstone and Core where Jessie was employed Artisan Crafts before taking the shop over and running it until last year. They certainly deserve their retirement and we wish them good Picture Framing health that they may continue to enjoy life in Skirling Village and worship in Skirling Kirk. Tues-Sun 10.30-17.00

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14 15 The Robin Chapel – A Place of Remembrance Household Cavalry Regiment. After a Some in our communities do not participate in annual period of training, Remembrance, where our Nation pays tribute to those whose they deployed to Italy sacrifice in two World Wars ensured the freedoms we enjoy in April 1944, where today. Perhaps apathy has crept in, or it clashes with kid’s they saw frequent rugby. Others feel that Remembrance glorifies war. They action until October could not be more mistaken; those who we remember and 1944 when they to whom we pay tribute epitomise the words in John, 15:13: were redeployed to “Greater love has no man than this; that a man lay down his UK and thence to life for his friends”. Belgium in March 1945. After less than On 4 May 1945, the day when the Second World War in Europe two months action, came to an end, a telegram was received by a couple in West Robin’s Regiment was Lothian informing them that their only son had been killed about 20 miles North in action on 30 April. The parents were Francis and Isabella East of Bremen when Tudsbery and their son Robin was aged just 25. his armoured car was blown up by a buried On the outbreak of War, Robin volunteered for service in German naval mine. the army and, after training, he was commissioned into the Robin and his two crewmen were killed Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), which he joined in June A Service at Robin Chapel 1941. The Blues (now the Blues and Royals) is one of the two instantly. senior regiments in the British Army, known together as the Household Cavalry. Earlier in the war, Robin’s father had visited the Chelsea Pensioners’ Hospital in London and resolved that a similar Early in 1943, Robin became second-in-command of the facility should be built near Edinburgh. He led a major Household Cavalry armoured car detachment, based at fundraising effort and work began on the Thistle Foundation in Windsor, providing security to the Royal Family in London, Craigmillar in 1945. The Foundation provided 100 cottages for Sandringham and Balmoral. During this period, he often met wounded veterans and their families, together with extensive the Royal Family. When he was posted away, Princesses medical and rehabilitation support and the first families moved Elizabeth and Margaret invited him to tea and the King invited into the community in 1950. him to a private farewell, where he gave Robin a pair of gold cufflinks. After Robin’s death, his parents decided to build and endow a non-denominational chapel for the use of the community and Robin sailed for Egypt in November 1943 where he joined 1st as a memorial to their son. Her Majesty The Queen laid the

16 17 foundation stone in September 1950 and returned, as Queen An Update from Tweedsmuir Kirk Mother, for the Chapel’s dedication in August 1953. Since then, members of the Royal Family have visited the Chapel Although the graveyard grass had been on several occasions. Most recently, Her Majesty The Queen cut regularly, the front of Tweedsmuir attended the Chapel’s Diamond Jubilee service in 2013. Kirk was being left uncut. The congregation’s concerns were passed In recent years, the link between the Chapel and Robin’s to Council and after a regiment has strengthened, with officers attending services at representative visited, it was explained least once a year. This relationship was cemented in October that due to health and safety any 2015, when the Sovereign’s Standard of the Blues and Royals gradients of grass over 30 degrees have now to be cut by the remote-control was laid up in the Chapel. machine. After an emergency strim by volunteer Ralph Glatt, the remote- The Chapel is a place of extraordinary beauty, with outstanding control lawn mower is now regularly architecture, woodcarving, stained glass, acoustics and an tackling the banking. exceptional professional choir. A service is held every Sunday at 4.00 pm and the annual Remembrance and Carol services Tony Hope, a member of the Scottish Gravestone restored are most impressive. Details can be found on the Chapel’s Covenanter Memorial Association website. asked for the John Hunter grave to be cleared of debris, side stones re aligned, branches and weeds We should not forget Robin and the thousands of others who cleared and the stonework cleaned. If you look at the SCMA died that we might be free. Their lives never reached their website www.covenanter.org.uk and click on Peebleshire you potential and from beyond the grave they still say to us: will discover that Tweedsmuir was the only Covenanting area in Peebleshire and that there are three sites – Kirkyard, Talla “When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say: Linns and Gameshope. This covenanting heritage is unique to For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today”. Tweedsmuir Parish. Open door church took on a whole new meaning when the This year, of all years, and indeed in coming years, why not doors of Tweedsmuir Kirk which are opened every day to give up a few minutes and come to your local Remembrance visitors – wouldn’t close at the end of service one Sunday! The tribute? prolonged dry weather after such a damp winter had caused the wooden door surround to shrink away and lose its fixing Neil Morrison – Broughton. Trustee of Robin Chapel to the sandstone. Expert help from Doug Roper was needed when it was realised that it needed more than a screwdriver to fix the problem, happy to report the door is once again opening and closing daily. Tweedsmuir Kirk ,Visitors welcome, services 10am Sundays

18 19 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN UPPER TWEEDDALE THIS AUTUMN

Saturday 8th September at 7.30pm in Broughton Village Hall September will be Rev Tony Foley who will be introducing us to the Concert in memory of the life of Lord Stewartby three year strategy and theme for the year. All members new and old Young Musicians from Live Music Now play Mozart, Schubert and are welcome to join us for an afternoon of chat, refreshments and fun. Mahler Free Entry, please email if attending to [email protected] Thanksgiving Services on the 23rd September at 10 a.m. in Broughton Donations to Parkinson's Charity Kirk, 11.30 a.m. in Skirling Kirk Thanksgiving Services on the 30th September at 10 a.m. in Tweedsmuir Tuesday Morning Listening Hour in The Laurel Bank, Broughton, Kirk, 11.30 a.m. in Stobo Kirk between 10.30 and 11.30 a.m. Donations of non-perishable foods and toiletries will be distributed Our Locum Tony Foley will continue to make himself available to any at Edinburgh the Old Kirk and Muirhouse Church. parishioner who would like a listening ear. Harvest Supper 6pm Saturday 29th September Broughton Village Skirling Thursday Lunches in Skirling Village Hall 12noon to Hall 1.15pm. This popular annual event will again involve good food, entertainment All welcome just £2.50 for soup, filled roll and traybake and quizzes. NB No lunch in October due to work on the Hall roof Thursday 6th September From Scotland to Jerusalem in Drumelzier Village Hall, Friday Thursday 1st November 19th October, doors open 6.30 talk begins at 7pm Thursday 6th December: Christmas Lunch Julian Birchall and Andrew Campbell will give an illustrated talk about their visits to Jerusalem. Tickets £10 to include a two course supper Autumn Craft Fair Skirling Village Hall 10.30am to 3pm Saturday and a glass of wine or soft drink. 8th September Tickets from Julian Birchall,01899 830319 or [email protected]. Attractive craft stalls, Tombola and Tea Room, proceeds to Village uk, or Andrew Campbell(see inside back cover for contact details)… Hall Funds. Sunflower competition prizes will be awarded. Proceeds to be shared between Stobo and Drumelzier Kirks and St Andrews Church Jerusalem. There will be a Public Meeting on 12th September at 7pm in Broughton Village Hall to discuss plans to re-establish a shop in the Remembrance Services Sunday 11th November village. There will be a Remembrance Day Service in each of the four churches, 10am in Tweedsmuir and Broughton, 11.30am in Stobo and Skirling. The Guild will have its first meeting of the new session on As well as the laying of wreaths the crosses that were planted in front Wednesday 19th September at 2:30pm in Broughton Village Hall. of the altar in Broughton Kirk on the anniversary four years ago now The strategy for the next three years is One Journey, Many Roads of the start of World War 1 will be returned to their Parish. and the theme for this year is Seeking the Way. Our Speaker for

20 21 FIRST WORLD WAR REMEMBERED 50th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE AT DRUMELZIER

In his sermon at the service to commemorate the centenary of the The Five Ladies who took part in the Service outbreak of the First World War our then Minister Rev Bob Milne hypothetically asked what the residents of Upper Tweeddale made of the news of Austrian aristocrat being assassinated in a city called Sarajevo in a far off land called Serbia? Fast forward 1561 days to the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 and even the most remote shepherd’s house in the quietest of valleys had by then heard of Mons, Gallipoli, Amiens, Arras, The Somme, Cambrai, Ypres, Passchendale and probably a lot more names of foreign fields even if people might struggle to find them The service in Drumelzier, on Sunday 27th May, to celebrate the 50th on a map. anniversary of the decision by the Church of Scotland to admit women Ministers was well attended from our four parishes and from all over They knew them only too well because young men who had gone the Presbytery. The service was led by the Very Reverend Sheilagh from the valley over the four years were never going to return from Kesting, the first female Minister to be appointed Moderator of the those foreign sounding places and now lay in graves from Northern General Assembly. Her Grandfather, the Reverend Norman Kesting Greece to Calais or under the former battlefields of Turkey, France and was Minister at Drumelzier from 1917 until 1927. Belgium their bodies never found or identified. We can only begin to imagine the effects grief would have had on our communities. In her sermon she talked about the role of women in the wider work of the church for many centuries – as Sunday School teachers, All those left behind could do was to remember and live out their providers of hospitality, visitors to the sick and lonely and countless sacrifice. The best we can do is remember to honour their memory other unsung roles – saying how important it was that this was finally and live lives making that sacrifice worthy of them. recognised with the decision to admit women as elders in 1966 and As the bells marked the end of the war in 1918, no doubt there was as Ministers in 1969. Sheilagh said we must continue to speak up a simple joy for some that “their” man had survived and would be where the role of women was not fully accepted. coming home, or a simple shedding of tears for some that their She referred to the story of the walk to Emmaus (Luke: 24). There man had paid the ultimate price. Above all there would be a great were two disciples leaving Jerusalem but only one is named in the collective sigh of relief that the madness was over and life could Bible – Cleopas. Was it not possible that the other disciple with him return to normal was his wife? Would it not be natural that they, together, invited the Except of course that because of the War normal would never be stranger into their home to have a meal? If the other disciple had normal again been a man why was he not named? As women had only a lesser role at the time her name was not worth a mention. However you commemorate the centenary of the Armistice of November 1918 please remember that for every name on our One lesson was read by Jane Gillham and the second by the memorial there are many stories of life interrupted, dreams unfulfilled, Reverend Rola Sleiman from the Lebanon who had been attending grief, and years of loneliness. If you can, give thanks to God for the the General Assembly. She was the first woman to be ordained into freedom bought by that generation the results of which we enjoy one the Presbyterian Church of Syria and The Lebanon. Prayers were hundred years later. offered by Rev Rachel Dobie and Rev Nancy Norman.

22 23 fun and some very good conversations. On Friday most were off to VISITORS FROM MALAWI the National Youth Assembly with Nellie and Geoffrey, the two older In August the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles, of which Upper visitors having their own programme for the weekend. Nellie is a Tweeddale is a part, hosted 6 young visitors from Malawi and one minister in Zomba and is interested in prison reform and Geoffrey from Lebanon. The presbytery has been linked with Zomba City was sponsored by the Presbytery to do a midwifery course in Zomba presbytery in Southern Malawi for nearly 10 years and a number so spent time with midwives in BGH and Haylodge. of churches within the Presbytery have links with congregations in At the time of going to press we are looking forward to their second Zomba. In 2016 we sent a number of young people to Malawi and week including a day in Edinburgh, visits to High Schools around this year it was their turn to send some to us. the region and a day at Smail's printworks in Innerleithen among None of the Malawians had ever been out of their country before other activities. The final farewell service at the end of the week will so flying was a new and daunting experience but they all coped be a joyful and also sad affair as they have been wonderful guests very well. On 10th August, I was relieved to see them all appearing and have brought much joy and enthusiasm into our churches and through the door at Edinburgh airport, tired but happy. Marina our communities. Lebanese lady was delayed a few days but managed to join us by the At the time of writing this, middle of the first week. we are looking forward to The first Sunday evening BBQ and service in Earlston was a fantastic welcoming Geoffrey Matias to welcome for our Malawian visitors. They had all enjoyed visiting our service in Skirling on Sunday different churches in the morning but this was an opportunity to 26th August. Geoffrey is from express our welcome and for them to sing for us. We even had Namadidi church which is linked dancing in the aisles led by our Malawian group. with Upper Tweeddale. The link has unfortunately lapsed Monday found us in Selkirk visiting a Holiday club, the Open Door but perhaps as a result of Cafe and then participating in a very interesting discussion about Geoffrey’s visit, we might look at foodbanks. It is quite difficult for our visitors to appreciate that there strengthening the links again. is poverty in our country and good for us to be reminded about just Geoffrey has just graduated from how much our congregations are doing in the background to make the Malawi College of Health a difference. Sciences in Zomba as a midwife, Geoffrey visiting Borders General Hospital Tuesday we met at Melrose Abbey to hear sponsored by the Presbytery of the story of St Cuthbert, St Aiden and how Melrose and Peebles. At the moment he is volunteering at Machinga Christianity came to the Borders: then it was District Hospital until he can find a fulltime job, hopefully when he all aboard the bus to Lindisfarne. With Malawi returns from Scotland. Geoffrey missed his graduation ceremony being a landlocked country, our guests have because he was in Scotland but plans are afoot to give him a been fascinated with the idea of the sea, and graduation ceremony at the farewell service on the visitors last night. tides in particular. We spent a lot of time on We have a second midwifery student Limbikani, now in his second the shore making sand castles and watching year, also sponsored by the Presbytery. Supporting these students is them get washed away. We all had a great a great way for our church to assist young mothers in Malawi where, Phalyce enjoying due to a shortage of midwives, giving birth can be a risky business. time together and, with three young Scots who her first experience joined us for the trip, hung out together, having of the sea. Fiona Burnett

24 25 CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS PARISHES OF UPPER TWEEDDALE We are already thinking about our Christmas Edition and our annual Locum: Rev Tony Foley, Old Joiners Croft, Skirling ML12 6HD competition to produce a colourful seasonal cover for Kirk matters Tel: 01899 860709 Email: [email protected] and also for our Parishes of Upper Tweeddale Christmas Card. Entries can be handed to any of those listed opposite. Secretary to the General Kirk Session: Mrs. Isobel Hunter, Skirling House, Skirling ML126HD An early notification that our Tel:01899 860274 Email: [email protected] Christmas gift Service will be Treasurer of the funds held jointly: on the 9th December in all four Mr. John Burnett, Glenholm Cottage, Broughton, ML126JF churches this year. Gifts of all Tel:01899 830303 Email: [email protected] kinds, unwrapped (but separate Interim Moderator: wrapping paper is good), are Rev Calum Macdougall, The Manse, 7 Clement Gunn Square, Peebles EH45 8LW welcomed by our sister church Tel: 01721 720568 Email: [email protected] Edinburgh the Old Kirk and Broughton, Glenholm and Kilbucho Muirhouse who distribute several hundred Christmas Session Clerk: Mrs Pat Middlemas, Ninth Acre Broughton, ML12 6HQ gifts to families in their parish. Tel: 01899 830366 Borders Young Carers who we also support greatly appreciate Treasurer: Mr. Murdo Elder, Burnholm, Broughton, ML12 6HQ gift-cards so that the mostly Last year’s winning entry Tel:01899 830359 Email: [email protected] teenage carers can choose their own gifts. Skirling Session Clerk/Treasurer: Miss Betty Eastland, 3 Carmichael Bank Skirling ML12 6HD Tel: 01899 860295 Stobo and Drumelzier Session Clerk: Mrs Jane Gillham, 8 Gallow Hill, Peebles EH45 9BG Tel:01721 720910 Email: [email protected] Treasurer: Home to Whitmuir Restaurant, Organic Farm Shop, Mr. Andrew Campbell,Glebe House, Stobo Peebles EH458NU Dancing Light Art Gallery, Daisy Frame Picture Framing, Tel:01721 760252 Email: [email protected] Quercus Plant Nursery, Gladstone Bag Antiques, Fairy Walk and so Tweedsmuir Session Clerk: much more. Something for everyone. Open 7 days a week. Mr Digby Welch, Polmood,Tweedsmuir ML12 6QP We look forward to welcoming you… Tel:01899 880325 email:[email protected] www.whitmuirtheorganicplace.co.uk www.dancinglightgallery.co.uk Treasurer: Mrs Marion Wood, Kingledores, Tweedsmuir, ML12 6QL www.gladstonebag.shop www.quercusgardenplants.co.uk Tel:01899 880273 Email: [email protected]

26 Afternoon Tea The Stobo Castle Afternoon Tea, served in the elegant dining room, is truly an occasion to be experienced. Traditionalat cake standstobo are fi lled with your choice of fi Snger cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with jam & cream and delicious handmade cakes. A selection of Twinings loose leaf teas or coff ee is included, however sipping some chilled champagne whilst relaxing in our serene, sumptuous surroundings adds a little more indulgence to an already perfect afternoon. The Stobo Castle Afternoon Tea: £19.95 per person The Stobo Castle Champagne Afternoon Tea: £26.95 per person* Pre booking is essential by calling 01721 725300. Served between 3pm and 4pm. Payment is required at the time of booking. *Includes a glass of Bernard Robert Cuvée Reserve, NV, Champagne.

Stobo Castle Health Spa, Stobo, , EH45 8NY [email protected] www.stobocastle.co.uk